Bore end cleaning tool



Aug. 14, 1956 l.. o. HARMoN 2,753,429

BORE END CLEANING TOOL Filed Jan, 5l, 1955 INVENTOR l .hzrmon ATTORNEY BORE END CLEANING TOOL Louis 0. Harmon, Amsterdam, N. Y.

Application January 31, 1955, Serial No. 484,919

4 Claims. (Cl. 51-1S4.2)

This invention relates to a tool of extremely simple construction which is primarily adapted for cleaning an end of the bore of a pipe and more particularly for cleaning the bore ends of copper pipe or tubing by an abrasive action to condition the bore end so that a good solder connection can be made thereto for forming `a sweat joint. Considerable diiiculty is encountered in properly cleaning bore ends of pipe or tubing of relatively small diameter which are no larger than the normal cross sectional size of the outer joint of an index linger, and it is accordingly a primary object to providey a tool which readily adapts itself to use in supporting an :abrasive strip for cleaning such bore ends.

More particularly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a tool provided with novel means for supporting an abrasive strip around a part thereof for engagement in a bore end .and by means of which the wound strip lwill be expanded to provide la close fitting working engagement with bore ends of different diameters for quickly and efficiently cleaning the bore ends by an abrasive action.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the tool shown in an operative position, partly broken away and showing an abrasive strip in section applied thereto and a pipe or tube end in section to which the tool is applied;

Figure 2 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and illustrating a diiferent position of one part of the tool;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the tool, taken substantially along fa plane `as indicated by the line 3--3 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View of the tool, taken substantially along a plane Ias indicated by the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the cleaning tool in its entirety and comprising the invention is designated generally 6 and includes an elongated shank of noncircular cross section, designated 7, provided with an enlargement at one end thereof forming a handle 8 which is preferably of circular cross section and roughened or knurled to provide la good finger grip. A head, designated generally 9, constitutes the opposite end of the tool 6. The head 9 includes a fixed section 10 which is formed integral with the shank 7 and a movable section 11, which is slidably supported by the section 10. The section 10 is elongated in a direction transversely of the shank 7 and has substantially at opposite side walls 12 and 12a, a convexly rounded outer end wall 13, and a substantially flat inner end wall 14. The head section 11i has a recess of relatively large diameter, designated 15, which extends longitudinally thereof, from intermediate of the ends of the head section 10 and which opens through the face 14. A smaller recess 16 nited States PatentiO 2,758,429 Patented Aug. 14, 1956 ICC opens into the bed of the recess 15 land extends to adjacent the end wall 13, as seen in Figure 3. The head section 10 is also provided with recesses 17 of relatively small diameters which straddle the recess 15 and which open through the end face 14.

The movable head section 11 has a convexly rounded outer end 18, corresponding to the end 13, substantially flat parallel side walls 19, and a ilat inner wall 20. A stern 21 projects from the inner wall 20 loosely into the recess 15 and has a relatively close tting sliding engagement in the recess 16. A pair of pins 22 project from the face 20 and 'are of a proper size and are properly spaced relative to one 'another to slidably engage in the recess 17 when the stem 21 is in engagement with the recess 16. The stern 21, adjacent its free end, is provided with an elongated longitudinally extending slot 23. A stop pin 24 extends transversely through the head section 10 and centrally through the recess 16 and passes loosely through the slot 23, to limit outward displacement of the head section 11 away from the head section 10 when the retaining pin 24 is `an applied position. An expansion coil spring 25 tits loosely around the stem 21 and within the recess 15 and bears against the inner end of said recess and against the inner face or wall 20 for urging the head section 11 away from the head section 10.

The head sections 10 and 1l are provided with anges 27 and 28, respectively, which overlie inner ends or edges of the end walls 13 and 18 and which are located adjacent the shank 7.

A spring clip 29 has an embracing band 30 at one end thereof engaging slidably around the shank 7 and from which a spring strip 31 extends toward the head 9. The spring strip 31 is provided with an outwardly ared free end 32. The clip 29 can be slidably moved toward a retracted position away from the head 9 and so that the strip end 32 will be disposed inwardly of the head 9, as seen in Figure l, or said clip 29 can be slidably moved to an advanced operative position toward the head 9 for positioning the resilient strip 31 in overlying relation to a part of the side wall 12.

Assuming that the clip 29 is in a retracted position, as seen in Figure l, and that the head section 11 is being held in a retracted position with its inner face 20 substantially abutting the inner face 14, a strip of flexible abrading material 33 may then be wrapped around the head 9, immediately beneath or beyond the flanges 27 Vand 28. The abrading material 33 may comprise emery paper or sandpaper and is of a sufficient length so that the ends thereof, as seen at 34, may be disposed in substantially overlapping relation to one another and in overlying relation to the side wall 12. The spring clip 29 is then displaced toward the head 9 and in so moving the flared end 32 upon contacting the upper edges of the overlapping portions 34 will cam the resilient strip 31 outwardly and so that said resilient strip will thereafter assume a position in overlying relation to portions of the overlapping parts 34, `as seen in Figure 2, to thus loosely clamp the abrading strip 33 around the head 9. When thus disposed, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, it will be noted that the resilient strip or tongue 3l is located nearer the axis of the tool 6 than the end walls 13 and 18. Accordingly, while the tool head 9 is held in a retracted position, it may be readily inserted into the end of a pipe or tube 35, the end of the bore 35 of which is to be cleaned by an abrasive action to enable the bore end to be eifectively engaged by solder for forming a joint with another pipe end.

After the head 9 is disposed in the end of the bore 36 and with the iiange 27 resting against a portion of the end of the pipe or conduit 35, the head 9 is released so that the spring 25 can project the head section 11 away from the head section 10. The engagement of the spring `tongue `31 with the overlapping portions 34 constitutes a sufcicntly loose engagement so that these portions `can Slide relative to one another, to the wall 12 and tongue 31 and so that a part of the strip 33 can slide relative to the head section 11 to permit the head 'section 11 to assume the position as illustrated in Figures l and 3, in which position the parts `of the strip 33 which are disposed around the end walls 13 and 18 will be in contact with the wall of the bore 36. The handle 8 is then grasped between the ngers fory revolving the tool in either direction or for oscillating the tool about its axis to abrade and clean the bore portion engaged by the strip 33,

Obviously, the tool head 9 rnay be made in different sizes to `accommodate it to bores of different diameters. It will be understood that the tool has been illustrated in the Vdrente/ing on an enlarged scale relative to its actual size for he peu-Pese of eral-ity and is primarily adapted ze fn inte tubes er pipes having ntemex dien-lezers too Smau z o reeeive f be finger.

Val-1011s modxcations and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to, without departing from the function or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the'appended claims.

I claim as my invention: i

l. A bore cleaning tool of the `character described comprising an `elongated tool body having a head portion constituting one end thereof, la handle `constituting the opposite end yand an elongated shank extending between and connecting the head portion and handle, said head portion being lelongated in a direction crosswise of the axis of the tool and having convexly rounded end walls and substantially at parallel side walls, said end walls being spaced a greater distance apart than Vthe spacing of said side walls, said head portion including a stationary head section fixed to the shank and a movable head section, one of said end walls constituting a part of said movable head section `and the other end wall forming a part of the stationary head section, means slidably and non-turnably connecting the movable head section to the stationary head section for movement thereof axially ofthe axis of the head portion and transversely of the axis of the tool, said head portion being adapted to support a flexible strip of abrading material wound therearound and with the head portion applied to the bore of a pipe or tube, spring means urging the movable head section to an extended position relative to the stationary head section for yieldably positioning the parts of the abrasive strip, which engage around the end walls of the head portion, in contact with the `wall of the bore to be cleaned when said tool is turned about its axis, and means slidably 'carried by said shank for engagement over the abrasive strip to retain said strip in engagement around the head portion Vin ya projected operative position of said means `and movable to a retracted position spaced from the head portion for applying the abrasive strip to the head portion.

2. A bore cleaning tool of the character described comprising `an elongated tool body having a head portion constituting one end thereof, a handle constituting the opposite end and an elongated shank extending between `and connecting the head portion and handle, said head portion being elongated in a direction crosswise of the axis of the tool and having convexly rounded end Walls and substantially dat parallel side walls, said end walls being vspaced a greater distance apart than the spacing of sand. side walls, said head portion including a. stationary head section fixed to the shank and a movable head section, `one -of said `end walls constituting a part of said movable head section and the other end wall forming a part of the stationary head section, means slidably and non-turnably connecting the movable head section to the stationary head section for movement thereof axially of the axis of the head portion and transverselyof the axis of the tool, said head portion being 'adapted to support a flexible strip of abrading material wound therearound and with the head portion applied to the b'ore of a pipe vor tube, spring means urging the movable head section to an extended position relative to the stationary head section for yicldably positioning the parts of the abrasive strip, which engage around the end walls of the head portion, in contact with the wall of the `bore to be cleaned when said extending l-ongtudinally of the tool toward the head portren Vfreni-l ns secured end toma- 1515 free end., said spring `clip Vbein-1g :slidabxy movable from a. .position spaced from the head porti-on to a prcbj-:Cted position of said resilient tongue overlying overlapping portions of the abrasive strip for loosely clamping said portions between the tongue and a side wall of the head portion.

3. A tool `as in claim 2, and means slidably `and nonturnably Yconnecting the Spring clip to said shank.

`LA bore cleaning tool of the character described comprising an elongated tool body having a head portion constituting one end thereof, a handle constituting the opposite end Aand an elongated shank extending between and connecting the head portion and handle, said head portion being elongated in a direction crosswise of the axis of the tool and having convexly rounded end walls and substantially at parallel side walls, said end walls being spaced a greater distance apart than the spacing of said side walls, said head portion including a stationary head section fixed to the shank and a movable head section, one of said end Walls constituting a part of said movable head section and the other end wall forming a part of the stationary head section, means slidably and nonturnably connecting the movable head section to the stationary head section for movement thereof axially of the axis of the head portion and transversely ofthe axis of the tool, Vsaid head portion being adapted to support a flexible `strip of .abrading material wound therearound and with the head portion applied to the bore of a pipe or tube, spring means urging the movable head section to an extended position relative to the `stationary head section for yieldably positioning the parts `of the abrasive strip, which engage around the end walls of the head portion, in contact with the wall of the bore to be cleaned when said tool is turned about its axis, and `stop means immovably mounted in the stationary head section and slidably engaged by a part of the means connecting said head sections 4for `limiting `movement of the movable head sectiontoward an extendedposition.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,397,660 Rouze Nov. 22, 1921 1,413,876 Sanford Apr. 25, 1922 1,576,593 Froussard Mar. 16, 1926 2,009,518 Rausch July 30, 1935 2,464,390 Hammer Mar. 15, 1949 

